Former detective Kylee Dennis helps uncover online scams
Kylee Dennis of Illawarra is using more than a decade of experience as a NSW police officer to help prevent people from losing their life savings, and is a Shine Award nominee.
A four-word phrase has prompted an Illawarra former detective to uncover the truth behind online scams, and help prevent singles from losing life savings.
The words “Mum has a boyfriend” drove Kylee Dennis to start an investigation business into ‘romance scams’.
“(My friend’s) mum had significant health issues and when I heard she had a boyfriend I was a bit nosy,” Kylee said.
An online scammer had stolen images of a Californian real estate agent, posing as an Australian businessman in Turkey.
“I had to break the news to her, which was complete and utter devastation,” she said.
Since then, Ms Dennis has helped 30 clients who collectively lost $2.9 million before seeking her help.
She was a NSW police officer for 14 years, and worked as a negotiator, undercover operative, child protection specialist, detective, as well as training as a patrol intelligence officer.
Now Kylee manages Two Face Investigations to help uncover fraudulent online identities.
“I had an investigative background, and a business background, and it made me start this journey and now I stand on top of a mountain and scream about it every day,” she said.
She manages two undercover accounts, a 62-year-old woman and a man in his 60s, to better understand the prevalence of online scams, and identify fake profiles.
“I wondered who was out there to investigate on behalf of victims, but also who’s there just to have a chat?” Kylee said.
She now speaks to aged care residents and hosts seminars, and most recently met with two ministers about online dangers.
“There’s no judgement. It’s just an ear, and for empathy, and we work through it and they get to share their story,” she said.
“They feel empowered at the end of it because they’ve told someone who hasn’t made any judgment and is ready to work through it.”
Kylee Dennis has been nominated for the 2024 Shine Awards, which celebrate the achievements of rural and regional women across Australia. Click here to nominate an outstanding woman you know.
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